Meals after swimming and snorkelling - lunch in Panglao

We usually ate after snorkeling and swimming in Panglao as the activities can be tiring and the early breakfast before going there sort of assured that you will be hungry even before noontime. When you arrive at Panglao, your guide/s usually take you to a "suki" where you can safely leave your things (but take your valuables with you to be sure). These "suki" usually operates an eatery or store on the island and they usually rent out tables. The rent is waived when you order food from them or buy items from their store. We usually ate there anyway so we ordered our lunch ahead so they can prepare the food upon our return.

Grilled pork

Grilled fish - this was yellow fin tuna

Tinolang manok

The quantity of an order is usually generous so there is more than enough leftovers to give away. We usually gave these to our guide and boatmen. This is on top of the food we also order for them though they usually tell us they already have food. It's likely that their "suki" already have meals for them in exchange for bringing customers. I recall an incident last year about tourists being overcharged for food in one of the spots (not Panglao) and I still couldn't imagine how the amount came up to that much (more than 10,000pesos) considering the simplicity of the menu and the cooking. I mean, you can't get wrong with tinola and inihaw (grilled food).

-

UP Diliman Food Hub

There is a new place to eat at in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. The new Food Hub also called Gyud Food is located along Jacinto Street just across from the College of Fine Arts. It is a welcome development that adds to the choices for where to eat and drink at the campus. Here are a few photos from a recent lunch we had there.

There's a bread shop in the form of Everyday Kneads

For those who intend to eat in a more relaxed manner, there are banig (native mats) and wooden pallets for tables. I thought this was perfect for when you have kids with you.

There are many choices with items priced for various budgets including silogs, grilled food, Korean and Indian-themed food, pasta, pizza, shakes, etc.

There are familiar ones like Cindy's, which used to compete with Jollibee and McDonald's like a Philippine version of Wendy's. They are now more like a Goldilocks with breads and pastries. There's a Potato Corner, too.

Japanese themed coffee (kohi)

Mamonaku's menu

There are also stores outside including one selling Thai themed streetfood

I've eaten here thrice but always when we thought there would be fewer people there - before classes started for the Second Semester and during the reading break. I imagine the place would be quite crowded during lunchtime of regular days and during the evenings where the place becomes a hangout for mostly college students.

-

Return to the Angono Petroglyphs

Earlier this year, we went back to the Angono Petroglyphs. This time, our daughter is older and more knowledgeable. It was like a technical tour or field trip for her as she learned about the petroglyphs in her Araling Panlipunan class.

The National Museum is in-charge of the site, which is shared by the towns of Angono and Binangonan in the Province of Rizal.

There is a tunnel leading to the site. You leave your vehicle or alight from one at area near a shooting range. There is a security guard to watch over your vehicle.

It is dark and somewhat damp inside the tunnel. It was breezy that day we visited and so it was cool inside as we walked to the site.

The dirt road leading to the petroglyphs site

Waiting sheds at the site

We discovered that the museum already had upgraded the walkways and platforms used by visitors to view the petroglyphs.

A look back to where we entered the site

There are information about the petroglyphs including their discovery by a national artist, Carlos "Botong" Francisco, and the preservation work that was required.

Old photos showing the investigation of the site

History of the petroglyphs

Significance of the petroglyphs

It is now easier to walk around the site

Marker showing the cultural value of the petroglyphs

Path leads from and to the main building. Unfortunately, there are not much on display as artifacts are currently kept at the National Museum.

Platform for viewing the petroglyphs

They replaced the old wood flooring with what appears to be treated wood. We were informed that there are many termites in the area.

Examples of the petroglyphs

Images include those that appear to be people, turtles and birds

The petroglyphs are in relatively good condition.

What appears to be large turtles are a surprise to many even though Binangonan and Angono are along the Laguna de Bai.

Groups of what appear to be people may be families?

Some parts of the rock face are hidden and perhaps have similar petroglyphs or others waiting to be discovered.

Trees and bushes abound around the site

Another marker indicating the petroglyphs to be from ca. 3,000 BC.

 

After the visit, you can opt to eat in the area. There is the Thunderbird Resort and the East Ridge Golf Club. There is an excellent Japanese restaurant at the Golf Club. There are other restaurants and cafes in the area particularly at East Ridge Subdivision where there is a strip of restaurants and cafes overlooking Laguna de Bai.

-

Back at Tartufo Ristorante, The Grove

Here is another late post about eating at another restaurant we were fond of before the COVID-19 pandemic. Tartufo Ristorante is located at The Grove along C-5 and across from Tiendesitas. We used to eat either here or at a nearby Japanese restaurant when our daughter was attending Kindermusik at The Grove. We always chose a schedule that will allow us either lunch or early dinner at either restaurant. We are glad that both restaurants survived the pandemic and that we could eat there again though not as frequent as before.

The interior is as we remembered it was the last time we were here prior to the lockdown in 2020.

Appetizer - Prosciutto e Melone

Close-up of the prosciutto ham and melon ball antipasti

Pizza Napoletana

I was not able to take a photo of the chef's pasta that we usually ordered at the restaurant. We were thinking of having ravioli, too, but thought we probably won't be able to eat all. Take home leftovers don't really taste that good so we passed on the ravioli.

-

Watches for swimming in Panglao - a turtle and a starfish

For this recent vacation in Panglao, I decided to take an old reliable, and a new one that I have only taken for swimming in Batangas.

Gold and blue - the Seiko Sunrise and Mido Ocean Star for our Panglao vacation

 

The water was so clear, you can take a clear photo of the submerged Mido diver.

I took the Sunrise to Balicasag

A lume shot of the sunrise during one of our evening walks along the beach

 

I had initially planned to bring the Philippine Eagle to this trip but eventually decided on taking the Sunrise. I had thought to bring a 'pagong' to see the pagong (actually pawikan or sea turtle) in Balicasag. The latter showed up and the former was a good wear for the occasion.

-

Back in Panglao

Even before I've written about some recent trips, I am posting this short one about being back in Panglao, Bohol. We had booked our flight and made reservations at a resort back in November 2022. This was our first out of town vacation on a Holy Week and we made the most out of it.

The arrival message in our room set the tone for our vacation in Panglao.

The view from our room invited us to go out and enjoy the beach.

More on this trip in the next posts!

-

The sushi boat experience

We celebrated the Clairvoyant's 50th birthday in January. Arrangements were made for a lunch with family and friends at the ABCT Japanese restaurant located at the clubhouse of the East Ridge golf club in Binangonan, Rizal.

This is all seafood and I wonder if abstinence from meat during the Lenten Season means you can eat sushi or sashimi considering the food can be considered a luxury. Of course, one has to exercise restraint from eating a lot. (Note: We had the party last January so it was not during Lent that we enjoyed the sushi.)

The sushi boat from another angle.

ABCT also has a branch in Antipolo at the Sakura Circle near the provincial capitol building (or Ynares as many people call it). They would be open on Easter Sunday in case you're looking for good sushi and sashimi to celebrate the Resurrection.

-

Inflight meals on economy - first international flights in a while

Our first international flights since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 were supposed to be on Singapore Airlines. Inflight meals on board SIA are usually good as per our experience whether on Business Class or Economy. Unforunately, that trip didn't push through due to a typhoon. We moved our trip and we flew Philippine Airlines instead. Here are our inflight meals on board Philippine Airlines.

My inflight meal tray included an appetizer, a bun and orange juice.

We were curious about the packaging for what looked like our dessert with our inflight meals.

And we were delighted about this being an Auro chocolate

Pasta with chicken and vegetables

Beef with rice and vegetables

I had chicken inasal (hidden under the carrots and broccoli) on the flight back to Manila.

More on meals aboard airlines in future posts.

-